Visitations & Saints

13 Days / 12 Nights

22 Meals

Mass Daily

France Extension

Fatima to Lourdes Pilgrimage

You are invited to participate in the world’s most requested Marian journey as we explore the villages of some of the Church’s most renowned graces and saints. From the Anniversary celebrations in Fatima, through Avila, Santo Domingo de Silos, Loyola, Lourdes and Montserrat, this will truly be a pilgrimage of a lifetime.

DAY 1ARRIVE LISBON

Welcome to Lisbon. Join with fellow pilgrims this evening for a Welcome Dinner.Lisbon overnight (D)

DAY 2LISBON TO FATIMA

Theme: St Anthony of Padua

This morning we will meet with our local guide and enjoy a tour of Lisbon city. Our first stop is St Anthony’s Basilica where we celebrate our group Mass. Despite what might be assumed from his name, St Anthony was born and grew up in Lisbon and today remains the patron saint of lost articles.

Visit the World Heritage listed Jeronimo’s Monastery dating back to the 16th century with its stunning combination of flamboyant Gothic, Moorish and early Renaissance influences; see nearby Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. See Europe’s longest suspension bridge and view the inspiring Statue of Christ the King pointing the way north to Fatima.

En route to Fatima we will visit the Holy Miracle Church of St Stephen at Santarem containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle.

Finally we arrive at Fatima where in 1917 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three children as ‘a lady in white’.

Mass Setting: St Anthony’s Basilica.Fatima overnight (BD)

Day 3FATIMA

Theme: St Francisco & St Jacinta of Fatima

This morning we will walk and pray the Stations along the beautiful Way of the Cross (the Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary which overlooks all of Fatima. Continue to Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s appearance to three peasant children Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Proceed on to the little village of Aljustrel to visit the homes where the children lived. Finally we enter the original Parish church and see the Baptismal font where the children were baptised.

Back in Fatima tonight, the Anniversary Vigil ceremonies begin with an International Rosary followed by a candlelight procession and concelebrated Mass on the steps of the Rosary Basilica. From midnight to dawn an optional all night vigil is held for the enrichment of pilgrims.

Mass Setting: Apparition Chapel.Fatima overnight (BD)

Day 4FATIMA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Theme: Our Lady of Fatima

We awake to the sound of pilgrims from all over the world en route to the morning’s Anniversary celebrations. Commence with a Rosary followed by the procession of Our Lady’s statue to the altar on the steps of the Basilica. Celebrate the International Anniversary Mass followed by the Blessing of the Sick and Consecration. The ceremonies will close around midday with the touching ‘Adios’ spectacle.

We will then enjoy a tour of the Square (the largest in Christendom) including the site of the Apparitions, Rosary Basilica with the Tombs of the visionaries, the Museum, Blessed Sacrament Chapel and other main sites.

Afternoon at leisure in Fatima.

Mass Setting: International Anniversary Mass.

Fatima overnight (BD)

Day 5FATIMA TO AVILA

Theme: St John of the Cross

After breakfast we farewell Fatima and journey inland through Portugal before crossing the border into Spain. Visit Salamanca, known as the ‘Golden City’ owing to the colour of i s historic sandstone buildings. Arrive at Alba de Tormes,the little village where St Teresa died and where her incorrupt heart and arm are enshrined and displayed in the Carmelite convent. Here too we enter the convent for Mass, where St John of the Cross lived and who companioned St Teresa in her spiritual walk.

We continue on to the historic walled town of Avila, where the atmosphere has changed little since the days of St Teresa to whom the city is dedicated.

Mass Setting: Alba de Tormes Convent.

Avila overnight (BD)

Day 6AVILA

Theme: St Teresa of Avila

We begin our day with a visit to the Convent of Saint Teresa built over the saint’s birthplace and located just inside the South Gate of the old town. We then visit Avila’s Cathedral which was started in the 12th century before entering the Monastery of the Incarnation for Mass where St Teresa’s cell can be seen as well as other relics of her life.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Mass Setting: Monastery of the Incarnation.

Avila overnight (BD)

Day 7VIA SEGOVIA & CALERUEGA TO SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS

Theme: St Dominic

This morning we depart Avila, travelling east by coach to Segovia, between the Eresma and Clamores Rivers. We will visit the stunning Segovia Cathedral, the last Gothic cathedral to be built in Spain. Marvel too at the best conserved aqueduct of the Imperial Roman Empire. Outside the walls, we will visit and celebrate Mass at a convent adjacent to the Vera Cruz church, where the mortal remains of Saint John of the Cross are buried. View here the famous Alcazar.

From here we journey north to Caleruega, the home of Bl Jane of Aza and Felix Guzman and birthplace of their sons, St Dominic, Bl Mannes and Anthony. On our tour we will come to the Crypt where a well marks the spot where Dominic was born around 1170.

Enter the Church of San Sebastian where Dominic was baptised. The original twelfth century apse is still preserved, even though the church has undergone numerous reconstructions.

Journey north to the quaint village of Santo Domingo de Silos, home to the great Benedictine Abbey famous for its beautiful Romanesque cloister and for spreading the finest tradition of Gregorian chant throughout the world.

After dinner we will proceed up to the Abbey for evening prayer.

Mass Setting: Vera Cruz Church.

Santo Domingo de Silos overnight (BD)

Day 8SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS TO LOURDES

Theme: St Ignatius of Loyola

This morning we will attend the chanted High Mass at the Abbey before visiting the adjacent Monastery and Museum.

We then rejoin our coach and set off on our travel day, journeying north to Loyola where St Ignatius was born and where he later found his conversion. In Loyola pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit the impressive Sanctuary of St Ignatius, including the Casa Santa (Holy House) – 13th century tower house – where he was born and spent many of his early years.

Later we travel through the scenic foothills of the Pyrenees, crossing into Southern France before continuing on to Lourdes. It was in this small town that Our Lady first appeared to St Bernadette in 1858.

Mass Setting: Benedictine Abbey.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

Day 9LOURDES

Theme: St Bernadette of Lourdes

We celebrate an International Mass this morning with pilgrims worldwide in the immense Underground Basilica of Pius X (schedule permitting) followed by a visit to the little village of Bartres, and the farm where St Bernadette was nursed and later returned in adolescence to help her foster mother. We will visit the Sheepfold and the Parish Church where she spent so many hours in prayer.

We will return to Lourdes to enjoy a peaceful afternoon to rest or wander at your own pace. Optional Blessed Sacrament Procession and evening candlelight procession.

Mass Setting: Internati nal Mass at Lourdes.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

Day 10LOURDES

Theme: Our Lady of Lourdes

This morning we will celebrate a group Mass at the Grotto, before meeting our guide for a walking tour of Lourdes including the Sanctuary area: Upper & Lower Basilicas, the Grotto, and the Baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. We continue our visit of the main sites associated with St Bernadette including the Boly Mill where she was born in 1844, the original parish church and the Cachot (prison) where the family was forced to live due to misfortune during the time of the apparitions.

Free time this afternoon for a visit and prayers for the sick at the miraculous Baths where the water has continued to flow since 1858.

Pilgrims may choose to submerge themselves in the healing waters, or collect the Lourdes water at the taps. Optional afternoon Blessed Sacrament Procession and Blessing of the Sick before a final evening candlelight procession after dinner.

Mass Setting: Lourdes Grotto.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

Day 11LOURDES TO MONTSERRAT (VIA MANRESA)

Theme: Our Lady of Montserrat

We farewell Lourdes early this morning as we again journey through the Pyrenees, crossing the border back in to northern Spain. Continue on to the town of Manresa for Mass in the cave where St Ignatius came on retreat for 11 months between 1522 and 1523.

We then arrive into stunning Montserrat. The renowned 11th century sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat lies at the top of a 4,000 foot high mountain and is one of Spain’s most popular pilgrimage destinations. The shrine is home to a 12th century miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, lovingly known as the “Black Madonna”, discovered in the Santa Cova or Holy Cave.

Time permitting, before dinner we will have an opportunity to join the Benedictine monks in the Basilica for evening Vespers.

Mass Setting: Manresa Cave.

Montserrat overnight (BD)

Day 12MONTSERRAT & BARCELONA

Theme: Montserrat Boys Choir

Our spectacular day of pilgrimage begins with a visit and Mass in the Basilica, the construction of which began in the 16th century, and a viewing of the beautiful Holy Image of Our Lady of Montserrat, known affectionately as the “Black Madonna.”

We will then board the Santa Cova funicular railway and after a short ride, enjoy a walk down the sacred path to the Chapel where the image of Our Lady of Montserrat was found by young shepherds in the 13th century after seeing a bright light which led them to the grotto. We take time here at the Holy Cave for prayer and reflection before taking the funicular railway back up to the Sanctuary.

Before lunch, we will take our place among the privileged to hear the heavenly sounds of the Montserrat Boys Choir (The Escolania), one of the oldest and most renowned in Europe.

We will then have a private guided tour of the museums.

In the afternoon we will travel to Barcelona, a city synonymous with art, culture and faith. Visit Antonio Gaudi’s inspiring La Sagrada Familia Basilica, the most visited landmark in Barcelona and famous due to the fact that after more than 100 years since the foundation stone was laid it is still under final construction.

* Costs are based on prices as at August 2019 and must remain subject to possible change in the event of significant exchange rate variations, airfare, tax & hotel changes or minimum group size factors beyond Harvest’s control. Refer to Harvest Terms & Conditions.NB: Indicative prices for 2021

Graces of France Extension

Day 1LYON / ARS / PARAY-LE-MONIAL

This morning we will be transferred to the airport for our onward flight connections to Lyon in France. On arrival we will board our coach to be transferred to the old town to visit the stunning Fourviere Basilica, and admire a wonderful view over the entire city of Lyon.

Journey north to nearby Ars, the little village where St John Vianney known as the Cure of Ars was based and to where pilgrims from all over Europe flocked to see him. We will visit the small church contained within the Basilica that John Vianney built himself, view his incorrupt body and celebrate our group Mass here.

From here we continue northto Paray-le-Monial, the place where St Margaret Mary Alacoque experienced visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the 17th century. In revealing His Heart to her, Jesus said: ‘Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing but has been poured out totally and consumed as proof of its love’. Paray-le-Monial overnight (BD)

Day 2PARAY-LE-MONIAL & TAIZE

After breakfast we commence our time here with Mass in the Chapel of Apparitions, located in the Monastery of the Visitation and where most of the apparitions took place.

We then set off for Taize, the tiny hillside community in which young people from all over the world are drawn. Pope St John Paul II referred to Taize as ‘that little springtime’ as pilgrims join in a common weekly programme of prayer meetings, discussion groups and meals. We join with the community for midday prayer, which is sung beautifully in the large candlelit church.

Returning to Paray-le-Monial, we commence our guided visit featuring the relics of St Margaret Mary. Other highlights include the Chapel of St Claude in honour of St Margaret Mary’s Spiritual Director and the Basilica of Sacre Coeur.Paray-le-Monial overnight (BD)

Day 3VIA NEVERS TO CHARTRES

We farewell the city of the ‘Heart of Jesus’ and journey by coach to the town of Nevers nestled within the picturesque Loire Valley. Here we will visit the Convent of St Gildard where St Bernadette’s incorrupt body reposes and may be viewed. After she was blessed with the 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, St Bernadette retired to Nevers where she died at the age of only 35.

Our pilgrimage takes us on to the great Cathedral city of Chartres where we enter inside the magnificent 13th century Chartres Cathedral, a medieval architectural wonder and home to the Holy Veil, said to be worn by the Blessed Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus. Pilgrims too will see the most famous labyrinth in the world, built around the year 1200 and sometimes called the ‘Chemin de Jerusalem’ or Road of Jerusalem. Gaze upon stained glass majesty with more than five thousand figures depicting biblical stories and the lives of the saints, presenting to every pilgrim a vision of the heavenly city that awaits us.

We will then check in to our hotel before dinner.Chartres overnight (BD)

Day 4CHARTRES / LISIEUX / MONT-SAINT-MICHEL

No saint in modern times has had greater claims to prayers answered than St Therese of Lisieux. Since the year 1900, pilgrims have flocked to Lisieux to visit the home and convent of this great saint whose writings have captured the hearts of millions. On July 17, 1897 as Therese was dying she said ‘I feel that my mission is just beginning, my work of making people love God as I love him’.

Journey west today to Lisieux, one of the world’s premier pilgrimage sites and home to St Therese, the ‘Little Flower’, whom Pope Pius X called ‘the greatest saint of modern times’.

On arrival we enjoy a pilgrimage tour of Lisieux visiting the family home of Les Buissonets, the Carmelite Convent Chapel with its reliquary of the saint and St Therese’s Basilica.

Departing Lisieux we journey west to Normandy and the lovely island of Mont-Saint-Michel. According to legend, the archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, in 709 and instructed him to build a chapel on the rocky islet. Soon after, he sent a group of monks to live on the island (since replaced in 966 by the Benedictine Order who soon after constructed the Abbey). From the Middle Ages people have flocked to the abbey and were so struck by its beauty that they called this place ‘The Wonder Island’. Today it continues to be a major cultural and pilgrimage centre.Mont-Saint-Michel overnight (BD)

Day 5MONT-SAINT-MICHEL

What looks like a castle out of a fairy tale is actually one of Christianity’s major pilgrimage sites.Surging from an infinite expanse of sand and waves, Mont-Saint-Michel is a marvellous work of both nature and mankind. In 1979 it was the first location in France to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today more than two million pilgrims and visitors travel to behold this awesome work of the Middle Ages, the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.

This morning we will meet our guide for a tour of the island.

A climb up the steep narrow flight of steps called the Grand Degré is a prelude to the tour of the abbey. Once we have admired the construction, we can contemplate the incomparable beauty of the bay by going back down via the rampart walk.

A highlight of our visit here will be the Benedictine Abbey, which during the French Revolution was turned into a prison. We plan to join the community here for an inspiring chanted Mass. During our tour we will also see the Chapelle de Notre Dame sous Terre (Underground Chapel of Our Lady). It was built in the late 10th century in the very place that St Aubert erected the oratory in the 8th century.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon.Mont-Saint-Michel overnight (BD)

Day 6DAY 6: VIA ROUEN / DEPART PARIS

Depart Mont-Saint-Michel this morning and journey east via Rouen where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in the marketplace on 30 May 1431. Enter the Rouen Cathedral and reflect upon her faith and courage before continuing east to Paris for our homebound or ongoing flights.(B)

“Words simply cannot describe the pilgrimage – you just have to go and experience it for yourself.”

Anne Burrows-Jung

Saints of France

A great deepening of faith, seeing and hearing of the lives of the saints and celebrating Mass in many special places”

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